Great Expectations Estella Havisham Quotes

"You have not every reason to say so of the rest of his people," said Estella, nodding at me with an expression of face that was at once grave and rallying, "for they beset Miss Havisham with reports and insinuations to your disadvantage. They watch you, misrepresent you, write letters about you (anonymous sometimes), and you are the torment and the occupation of their lives. You can scarcely realize to yourself the hatred those people feel for you." (33.22) 

Here's a pretty good example that lying about someone just makes you look bad. Miss Havisham sees right through this Mean Girls gossip and loves it.

Estella Havisham > Pip

Quote 5

"Do you want me then," said Estella, turning suddenly with a fixed and serious, if not angry, look, "to deceive and entrap you?" (39.105)

Hm. When we think about it, Estella just might be one of Great Expectations' only honest characters. She's never tried to lead Pip on, but she's been cold and haughty all of her life. She just doesn't care enough to lie.

Estella Havisham > Pip

Quote 6

"I have not bestowed my tenderness anywhere. I have never had any such thing." (29.75)

Estella has never loved anything in her life—not even her jewels. (Shocking, right?) We never really get to know Estella, because the extent of her relationship with Pip is a few card games, some dark passage ways, and brief, cryptic conversations in which she tells Pip to stop loving her. Gee. If that's not the basis for a lifelong love affair, we don't know what is.